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Y Combinator

Y Combinator (YC) is a startup accelerator and venture capital firm that invests $500k in a select group of early-stage startups four times a year. Founders relocate to work intensively with YC for three months before pitching investors on Demo Day. YC serves startup founders across all industries, from pre-revenue and pre-product companies to fast-growing tech firms.
San Francisco, USA

Description

Founded in 2005, Y Combinator pioneered a new model of startup funding: four times a year it invests $500k in a cohort of startups that relocate (historically to San Francisco) for an intensive three-month program culminating in Demo Day, where founders pitch a large audience of investors. YC's involvement continues well beyond Demo Day, with the YC alumni network and partners continuing to support founders for the life of their company and beyond. Notable alumni companies include Airbnb, OpenAI, Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash, Scale AI, Dropbox, Reddit, Instacart, GitLab, Kalshi, Replit, and Twitch, with YC-backed companies collectively valued at over $1.3 trillion. YC funds companies at very early stages, including those with no revenue, product, or fully baked idea, and its partners are themselves former YC founders who provide mentorship, community, and resources to help founders build formidable companies.